“She is infatuated with me. There is a difference.”
“Agreed. Except, Elise doesn’t know that. What she feels is truly real to her. She refuses to stay in the same house with me. She believes I stole you from her.”
Michael sat up. Now might not be the right time for this conversation, but they were having it. “I don’t love her,” he answered.
Her eyes met his. “You don’t love me either.”
The wordsActually, I docame to the tip of his tongue. Was she ready to hear them? Her feelings were very raw, and her responsibilities to her sisters were paramount. Best he waited. Instead he said, “You would truly sacrifice your reputation for your sister? She would want that from you?”
“I love my sister. All that I’ve done, or as my sisters would say, everything I’ve prodded them to do, has been for my family. Which leads me to something I learned today about you that I find disturbing.”
“About me?” What had someone told her?
“I have no wish to be the reasonyourfamily suffers.” Before he could ask a question, she plowed ahead. “I have been informed your benefactor has threatened to cut you off because of me. Sir, I have no desire to be the cause of such an action. Especially since there are a dozen other women more suitable than me for you—such as Elise. You should marry Elise.”
Michael fell back on the seat with disgust. Of course word of Holsworthy’s tantrum was being bandied around. The man had an obsession with keeping his business quiet, so a scene like that in his club would send tongues wagging.
However, Holsworthy did not dictate his life. Neither did Dara, and he was a bit annoyed at her attitude. It was one thing to organize her sisters’ lives, another to organize his. “Just like that”— he snapped his fingers—“I should go off and marry whomever you say I should?”
“I’m not trying to tell you what—”
“Or whom my uncle has picked for my wife? His choice is Lady Henrietta. I would be bored before we repeated our vows.”
“Georgeham? Why, Lady Henrietta is nothing like Elise. My sister is special in person and spirit. If you don’t wish to marry her, you’ll find someone you like, but I would avoid Lady Henrietta. She is a bit dull.”
Dara was probably right; however, her opiniondidn’t matter because he knew whom he liked—her. And so far, she hadn’t said anything to convince him otherwise. In fact, her devotion to her sister made him care for her all the more. Someone needed to teach Dara how special she was.
He leaned forward, tempted to confess his thoughts, to let her know that he was far from averse to this match—except, before he could speak, the vehicle rolled to a stop. “We shall return to this conversation,” he promised. “But don’t worry about my being cut off by my uncle. I will provide for us.” He opened the door and was returned to reality.
Ferrell was not going to be pleased with Michael’s information. He hoped it wouldn’t frighten the clerk. He needed him for the meeting tomorrow. Ferrell was the one who understood the intricacies of Treasury accounting and could explain what had taken place.
“Stay here,” Michael ordered Dara and climbed out. He started to reach for his hat when he realized he had left it back at the ballroom.
He raked his hand through his hair and walked to Ferrell’s door. He knocked. They’d held one of their meetings together here.
Mrs. Ferrell answered the door. She recognized him, even though they had not been introduced during his visit. Ferrell had sent her upstairs.
“Mrs. Ferrell? Michael Brogan. May I speak to your husband?”
“You could if he had come home. He’s late. Very late.”
“Perhaps he had some appointment for this evening?”
She looked at Michael as if he had grown three heads. “I wouldn’t be worried if that was true, sir.”
“I see—” Michael started, not wishing to alarm the woman, when Dara’s voice interrupted.
“When did you expect him home?” Of course she hadn’t stayed in the hackney.
With a sound that let Dara know he didn’t like his orders being ignored, he took a side step to allow her into the conversation—since she was going to put herself there anyway.
Dara gave him a small smile as if to say,Sorry, I don’t listen to anyone, and repeated her question.
But Michael had a few tricks of his own. To Mrs. Ferrell he explained, “This is my betrothed, Miss Lanscarr.”
Dara tensed, but she didn’t contradict him, especially since Mrs. Ferrell perked up a bit at the information. Her manner relaxed. She stepped from the door. “I’m sorry I haven’t invited you in. Please, enter.”
“Another time,” Michael answered, catching Dara’s elbow before she accepted the invitation. “In fact, I’m certain your husband is working late.”
